May the Skill Force be with you

Andrew Parsons was an infantry officer before leaving for a career in the City. After several years spent discovering that the rat race is not that rewarding, he was appointed Team Leader of the Slough Skill Force team, which was formed in 2002.

Each year over 6,000 senior NCOs and warrant officers, not to mention officers and junior ranks, leave the Army; in most cases looking to start a new career. For many, if not most, this is an extremely challenging time in their lives, especially when, as most will admit, they really do not have any idea what they want to do next. As the final day approaches, panic can start to set in and people who are used to having their instructions obeyed without question get an unfamiliar and unwelcome feeling that their life is no longer in their own hands.

Some civilian recruiters believe that ex-military personnel may not stick at jobs, which can add to the problems of those looking to start again. The reason for this view often has something to do with the fact that nothing else seems to offer the highs (and lows) of Service life. However, there are very many success stories out there, and huge numbers of employers who value the skills, experience and attitude to hard work that defines ex-military men and women.

One such organisation, which recruits almost exclusively from the Armed Forces, is Skill Force, a not-for-profit company working in the education sector. It employs recently retired Service people to work in small teams delivering a vocational programme to pupils in inner-city schools. Many of these pupils have become disengaged from the normal academic curriculum because it is too academic and ‘boring’. Skill Force instructors teach a varied curriculum, which includes map reading, first aid, problem solving and communication skills.

Pupils who might otherwise leave school with nothing to show for their time gain numerous awards and certificates that will help them to gain jobs or entry into college. Core activities focus on teamwork, communication skills and problem solving – areas that have been identified by employers as vital for young people entering the workplace.

The emphasis on activity-based learning means that lessons are often conducted out of school, sometimes using military facilities such as command tasks, climbing walls or training areas for camping. However, at least 60 per cent of the time is spent in the classroom delivering the theory before leaving school to put it into practice.

A typical team consists of a leader and three or four instructors, depending on the number of pupils. Team members come from a wide variety of backgrounds and lengths of service, and provide a broad variety of experience.

Chris Norowtek, an instructor with the Slough team is a former WO1 who served 22 years with the Royal Engineers. His comments are fairly typical: ‘I really enjoy being part of a small team where my previous experience is valued and useful. It’s a challenging job. Although it has its frustrations, like anything else, we all talk the same language. Since joining Skill Force I haven’t missed the Army as much as I thought I would.’

Alison Williams served with the Army Catering Corps and Royal Logistic Corps for 23 years, and planned to remain in IT project management, in which she had specialised during the last years of her service. Instead of which she responded to an advertisement and finds herself teaching groups of ‘lively’ teenagers.

Dan Linley served 12 years as an NCO with the Coldstream Guards. An enthusiastic sportsman, he organises PT and runs the Junior Sports Leader Award. His experience as a PTI and two years with the Army Youth Team provided valuable experience that translates directly into his job.

On a normal school day the team meets at the office, usually in one of the schools it supports. A quick cup of tea and a discussion about the lessons planned for the day is followed by a frantic loading of cars with whatever kit is required. It might be stoves to teach cooking in the field, or a bundle of worksheets for a number-handling lesson. Instructors work in pairs, with the team leader joining in to make up numbers as necessary.

Although Skill Force is mainly staffed by ex-Army people, other teams employ instructors from all three Services and the organisation is keen to promote its tri-Service recruitment policy. Its members need some instructional experience and an enthusiasm for working with young people. There are 23 teams operating in nearly 100 schools nationally and further expansion is planned in future years. Potential applicants can undertake work experience with a team before leaving the Services.

To find out more about the work of Skill Force and look at current vacancies visit the website at www.skillforce.org